Metamaterials for Microwave Radomes and the Concept of a Meta-radome: Review of the Literature

Abstract

A radome is an integral part of almost every antenna system, protecting antennas and antenna electronics from hostile exterior conditions (humidity, heat, cold, etc.) and nearby personnel from quickly rotating mechanical parts of antennas, streamlining antennas to reduce aerodynamic drag and to conceal antennas from public view. Metamaterials are artificial materials with a great potential for antenna design, and many studies explore applications of metamaterials to antennas but just a few to the design of radomes. This paper discusses the possibilities that metamaterials open up in the design of microwave radomes and introduces the concept of meta-radome. The use of metamaterials can improve or correct characteristics (gain, directivity and bandwidth) of the enclosed antenna and add new features, like band-pass frequency behavior, polarization transformations, the ability to be switched on/off, etc. Examples of applications of metamaterials in the design of microwave radomes available in the literature as well as potential applications, advantages, drawbacks and still open problems are described.